Shoulder hold-down and locking mechanism therefor for use with a surgical frame

Abstract

A shoulder hold-down is provided for use in securing at least a shoulder of a patient in position relative to a surgical frame. The shoulder hold-down includes a locking mechanism that is adjustable to afford positioning of a shoulder engaging portion for contacting the patient.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A locking mechanism, the locking mechanism comprising:
 an arm portion including a first shaft portion, a second shaft portion, and a first flange portion, the arm portion including a first end, an opposite second end, and a mid-longitudinal axis extending through the first end and the second end, the first shaft portion including a channel extending from at least adjacent the first end to at least adjacent the second end along the mid-longitudinal axis, the channel receiving portions of the second shaft portion therein, the first shaft portion including a first exterior surface, the second shaft portion including a second exterior surface, the first shaft portion adjacent the first end of the arm portion including a first aperture on a first side of the channel, the first shaft portion adjacent the first end of the arm portion including a second aperture on a second side of the channel, and the second shaft portion adjacent the first end of the arm portion including a third aperture; 
 a lever-spring portion having a handle portion, a spring portion, and a collar portion, 
 the handle portion being fixedly attached to the spring portion; 
 the spring portion including a first side portion and a second side portion, the first side portion and the second side portion of the spring portion being spaced apart from one another, the first side portion of the spring portion including a fourth aperture and a fifth aperture formed thereon, and the second side portion of the spring portion including a sixth aperture and a seventh aperture formed thereon, 
 the collar portion including a first side portion and a second side portion, the first side portion and the second side portion of the collar portion being spaced apart from one another, the first side portion of the collar portion including a first post portion and a eighth aperture, the second side portion of the collar portion including a second post portion and a ninth aperture, end portions of each of the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion adjacent the first end of the arm portion being received between the first side portion and the second side portion of the collar portion, and portions of the first side portion and the second side portion of the collar portion being received between the first side portion and the second side portion of the spring portion; 
 a bracket portion and a second flange portion, the bracket portion including at least a first side portion and a second side portion, the first side portion and the second side portion of the bracket portion being spaced apart from one another, the second flange portion being positioned between the first side portion and the second side portion of the bracket portion, the first side portion of the bracket portion including a tenth aperture, and the second side portion of the bracket portion including an eleventh aperture, the first side portion and the second side portion of the spring portion being received between the first side portion and the second side portion of the bracket portion; and 
 one of a first rod and a first fastener extending through the first aperture, the second aperture, the fourth aperture, the sixth aperture, the tenth aperture, and the eleventh aperture to attach the first shaft portion of the arm portion, the lever-spring portion, and the bracket portion to one another, one of a second rod and a second fastener extending through the first aperture, the second aperture, the third aperture, the eighth aperture, and the ninth aperture to attach the first shaft portion of the arm portion, the second shaft portion of the arm portion, and the collar portion to one another, and the first post portion being received in the fifth aperture and the second post portion being received in the sixth aperture to attach the spring portion and the collar portion to one another; 
 wherein movement of the handle portion from an unactuated position to an actuated position causes pivotal movement of the first portion and the second portion of the spring portion about the one of the first rod and the first fastener, and causes corresponding movement of the first post portion and the second post portion toward the mid-longitudinal axis of the arm portion that causes movement of the one of the second rod and the second fastener toward the one of the first rod and the first fastener, movement of the one of the second rod and the second fastener toward the one of the first rod and the first fastener causing the second shaft portion to move at least partially out of the channel in the first shaft portion to expand the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion relative to one another. 
 
     
     
       2. The locking mechanism of  claim 1  used as part of a shoulder hold-down for use in securing at least a shoulder of a patient in position relative to a surgical frame, the shoulder hold-down comprising the locking mechanism, a support shaft portion, a shoulder engaging portion, and a base portion,
 the support shaft portion including a first end, an opposite second end, and being configured to be received between a first contact surface of the first flange portion and a second contact surface of the second flange portion of the locking mechanism, 
 the shoulder engaging portion being attached to the first end of the support shaft portion, and including a shoulder contacting structure configured to contact at least the shoulder of the patient, and 
 the base portion being attached relative to the surgical frame, and including an aperture extending therethrough, the aperture of the base portion including an interior surface and being configured to receive portions of the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion therein. 
 
     
     
       3. The shoulder hold-down of  claim 2 , wherein movement of the handle portion from the unactuated position to the actuated position causes impingement of a fulcrum formed on the handle portion against the support shaft portion, the impingement of the fulcrum causes downward movement of the one of the first rod and the first fastener that causes corresponding movement of the first contact surface of the first flange and the second contact surface of the second flange toward one another to impinge the first contact surface and the second contact surface on the support shaft to hold the support shaft in position relative to the arm portion. 
     
     
       4. The shoulder hold-down of  claim 3 , wherein, when the handle portion is unactuated, the first contact surface of the first flange and the second contact surface of the second flange are spaced apart from one another, and the support shaft is capable of linear and rotational movement between the first contact surface of the first flange and the second contact surface of the second flange. 
     
     
       5. The shoulder hold-down of  claim 2 , wherein expansion of the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion relative to one another causes impingement of the first exterior surface of the first shaft portion and the second exterior surface of the second shaft portion against the interior surface of the aperture in the base portion to hold the arm portion in position relative to the base portion. 
     
     
       6. The shoulder hold-down of  claim 5 , wherein, when the handle portion is unactuated, the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion are unexpanded with respect to one another, and the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion are capable of linear and rotational movement in the aperture formed in the base portion. 
     
     
       7. The shoulder hold-down of  claim 2 , wherein the shoulder engaging portion further comprises a pivot connection positioned between the shoulder contacting structure and the first end of the support shaft, the pivot connection facilitating pivotal movement of the shoulder engaging portion relative to the support shaft. 
     
     
       8. The locking mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first side portion and the second side portion of the spring portion include a first lobular portion, a second lobular portion, and a leaf portion connecting the first lobular portion and the second lobular portion, the first lobular portion of the first side portion of the spring portion including the fourth aperture formed therein, the second lobular portion of the first side portion of the spring portion including the fifth aperture formed therein, the first lobular portion of the second side portion of the spring portion including the sixth aperture formed therein, and the second lobular portion of the second side portion of the spring portion including the seventh aperture formed therein; and
 wherein movement of the handle portion from the actuated position to the unactuated position is resisted by the flexion of the leaf portions of the first side portion and the second side portion of the spring portion. 
 
     
     
       9. The locking mechanism of  claim 8 , wherein flexion of the leaf portions of the first side portion and the second side portion of the spring portion initially resists movement of the handle portion from the unactuated position to the actuated position. 
     
     
       10. A locking mechanism, the locking mechanism comprising:
 an arm portion including a first shaft portion and a second shaft portion, the arm portion including a first end, an opposite second end, and a mid-longitudinal axis extending through the first end and the second end, the first shaft portion including a channel extending from at least adjacent the first end to at least adjacent the second end along the mid-longitudinal axis, the channel receiving portions of the second shaft portion therein, the first shaft portion including a first exterior surface, the second shaft portion including a second exterior surface, the first shaft portion adjacent the first end of the arm portion including a first aperture on a first side of the channel, the first shaft portion adjacent the first end of the arm portion including a second aperture on a second side of the channel, and the second shaft portion adjacent the first end of the arm portion including a third aperture; 
 a lever-spring portion having a handle portion, a spring portion, and a collar portion, 
 the handle portion being fixedly attached to the spring portion; 
 the spring portion including a first side portion and a second side portion, the first side portion and the second side portion of the spring portion being spaced apart from one another, the first side portion of the spring portion including a fourth aperture and a fifth aperture formed thereon, and the second side portion of the spring portion including a sixth aperture and a seventh aperture formed thereon, 
 the collar portion including a first side portion and a second side portion, the first side portion and the second side portion of the collar portion being spaced apart from one another, the first side portion of the collar portion including a first post portion and a eighth aperture, the second side portion of the collar portion including a second post portion and a ninth aperture, end portions of each of the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion adjacent the first end of the arm portion being received between the first side portion and the second side portion of the collar portion, and portions of the first side portion and the second side portion of the collar portion being received between the first side portion and the second side portion of the spring portion; and 
 one of a first rod and a first fastener extending through the first aperture, the second aperture, the fourth aperture, and the sixth aperture to attach the first shaft portion of the arm portion and the lever-spring portion, to one another, one of a second rod and a second fastener extending through the first aperture, the second aperture, the third aperture, the eighth aperture, and the ninth aperture to attach the first shaft portion of the arm portion, the second shaft portion of the arm portion, and the collar portion to one another, and the first post portion being received in the fifth aperture and the second post portion being received in the sixth aperture to attach the spring portion and the collar portion to one another; 
 wherein movement of the handle portion from an unactuated position to an actuated position causes pivotal movement of the first portion and the second portion of the spring portion about the one of the first rod and the first fastener, and causes corresponding movement of the first post portion and the second post portion toward the mid-longitudinal axis of the arm portion that causes movement of the one of the second rod and the second fastener toward the one of the first rod and the first fastener, movement of the one of the second rod and the second fastener toward the one of the first rod and the first fastener causing the second shaft portion to move at least partially out of the channel in the first shaft portion to expand the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion relative to one another. 
 
     
     
       11. The locking mechanism of  claim 10  used as part of a shoulder hold-down for use in securing at least a shoulder of a patient in position relative to a surgical frame, the shoulder hold-down comprising the locking mechanism, a shoulder engaging portion, and a base portion,
 the shoulder engaging portion being attached relative to the arm portion, and including a shoulder contacting structure configured to contact at least the shoulder of the patient, and 
 the base portion being attached relative to the surgical frame, and including an aperture extending therethrough, the aperture of the base portion including an interior surface and being configured to receive portions of the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion therein. 
 
     
     
       12. The shoulder hold-down of  claim 11 , wherein expansion of the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion relative to one another causes impingement of the first exterior surface of the first shaft portion and the second exterior surface of the second shaft portion against the interior surface of the aperture in the base portion to hold the arm portion in position relative to the base portion. 
     
     
       13. The shoulder hold-down of  claim 12 , wherein, when the handle portion is unactuated, the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion are unexpanded with respect to one another, and the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion are capable of linear and rotational movement in the aperture formed in the base portion. 
     
     
       14. The shoulder hold-down of  claim 12 , wherein the shoulder engaging portion further comprises a pivot connection positioned between the shoulder contacting structure and the arm portion, the pivot connection facilitating pivotal movement of the shoulder engaging portion relative to the arm portion. 
     
     
       15. The shoulder hold-down of  claim 12 , wherein each of the first side portion and the second side portion of the spring portion include a first lobular portion, a second lobular portion, and a leaf portion connecting the first lobular portion and the second lobular portion, the first lobular portion of the first side portion of the spring portion including the fourth aperture formed therein, the second lobular portion of the first side portion of the spring portion including the fifth aperture formed therein, the first lobular portion of the second side portion of the spring portion including the sixth aperture formed therein, and the second lobular portion of the second side portion of the spring portion including the seventh aperture formed therein; and
 wherein movement of the handle portion from the actuated position to the unactuated position is resisted by flexion of the leaf portions of the first side portion and the second side portion of the spring portion. 
 
     
     
       16. The shoulder hold-down of  claim 15 , wherein the flexion of the leaf portions of the first side portion and the second side portion of the spring portion initially resists movement of the handle portion from the unactuated position to the actuated position. 
     
     
       17. A locking mechanism, the locking mechanism comprising:
 an arm portion including a first shaft portion and a second shaft portion, the arm portion including a first end, an opposite second end, and a mid-longitudinal axis extending through the first end and the second end, the first shaft portion including a channel extending from at least adjacent the first end to at least adjacent the second end along the mid-longitudinal axis, the channel receiving portions of the second shaft portion therein, the first shaft portion including a first exterior surface, the second shaft portion including a second exterior surface, the first shaft portion adjacent the first end of the arm portion including a first aperture on a first side of the channel, the first shaft portion adjacent the first end of the arm portion including a second aperture on a second side of the channel, and the second shaft portion adjacent the first end of the arm portion including a third aperture; 
 a lever-spring portion having a handle portion, a spring portion, and a collar portion, 
 the handle portion being fixedly attached to the spring portion; 
 the spring portion including a first side portion and a second side portion, the first side portion and the second side portion of the spring portion being spaced apart from one another, the first side portion of the spring portion including a fourth aperture and a fifth aperture formed thereon, and the second side portion of the spring portion including a sixth aperture and a seventh aperture formed thereon, 
 the collar portion including a first side portion and a second side portion, the first side portion and the second side portion of the collar portion being spaced apart from one another, the first side portion of the collar portion including a first post portion and a eighth aperture, the second side portion of the collar portion including a second post portion and a ninth aperture, end portions of each of the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion adjacent the first end of the arm portion being received between the first side portion and the second side portion of the collar portion, and portions of the first side portion and the second side portion of the collar portion being received between the first side portion and the second side portion of the spring portion; and 
 one of a first rod and a first fastener extending through the first aperture, the second aperture, the fourth aperture, and the sixth aperture to attach the first shaft portion of the arm portion and the lever-spring portion to one another, one of a second rod and a second fastener extending through the first aperture, the second aperture, the third aperture, the eighth aperture, and the ninth aperture to attach the first shaft portion of the arm portion, the second shaft portion of the arm portion, and the collar portion to one another, and the first post portion being received in the fifth aperture and the second post portion being received in the sixth aperture to attach the spring portion and the collar portion to one another; 
 wherein movement of the handle portion from an unactuated position to an actuated position causes pivotal movement of the first portion and the second portion of the spring portion about the one of the first rod and the first fastener, and causes corresponding movement of the first post portion and the second post portion toward the mid-longitudinal axis of the arm portion that causes movement of the one of the second rod and the second fastener toward the one of the first rod and the first fastener, movement of the one of the second rod and the second fastener toward the one of the first rod and the first fastener causing the second shaft portion to move at least partially out of the channel in the first shaft portion to expand the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion relative to one another; and 
 wherein return movement of the handle portion from the actuated position to the unactuated position is resisted by flexion of portions of the spring portion. 
 
     
     
       18. The locking mechanism of  claim 17  used as part of a shoulder hold-down for use in securing at least a shoulder of a patient in position relative to a surgical frame, the shoulder hold-down comprising the locking mechanism, a shoulder engaging portion, and a base portion,
 the shoulder engaging portion being attached relative to the arm portion, and including a shoulder contacting structure configured to contact at least the shoulder of the patient, and 
 the base portion being attached relative to the surgical frame, and including an aperture extending therethrough, the aperture of the base portion including an interior surface and being configured to receive portions of the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion therein. 
 
     
     
       19. The shoulder hold-down of  claim 18 , wherein expansion of the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion relative to one another causes impingement of the first exterior surface of the first shaft portion and the second exterior surface of the second shaft portion against the interior surface of the aperture in the base portion to hold the arm portion in position relative to the base portion. 
     
     
       20. The shoulder hold-down of  claim 19 , wherein, when the handle portion is unactuated, the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion are unexpanded with respect to one another, and the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion are capable of linear and rotational movement in the aperture formed in the base portion. 
     
     
       21. The shoulder hold-down of  claim 20 , wherein each of the first side portion and the second side portion of the spring portion include a first lobular portion, a second lobular portion, and a leaf portion connecting the first lobular portion and the second lobular portion, the first lobular portion of the first side portion of the spring portion including the fourth aperture formed therein, the second lobular portion of the first side portion of the spring portion including the fifth aperture formed therein, the first lobular portion of the second side portion of the spring portion including the sixth aperture formed therein, and the second lobular portion of the second side portion of the spring portion including the seventh aperture formed therein, and wherein flexion of the leaf portions of the first side portion and the second side portion of the spring portion initially resists movement of the handle portion from the unactuated position to the actuated position.